chelsea
"I never go to New York City these days"

And here we find the pleasant, surprisingly easy to find 'hidden song.' And we discover that it's a recording of Adam's previously unrecorded [other than bootlegs] song, "Chelsea."

Simply brilliant. The Crows are absent for this number, and the song is carried along by Adam and three brass players, whom I've heard are Adam's old friends from San Francisco. And on to the song. Beginning with familiar piano, this seems to be another great Crows song that showcases Adam's playing; but within three seconds, that notion is vanquished by the soft merging of a trump, a trombone, and a saxophone - something we've never heard in a song by this band. Offbeat and beautiful, the brass is a welcome addition.

"Never go to New York City these days," he begins, and the music is so peaceful that the song sounds very close to a capella. Not quite, though. "Something 'bout the buildings and Chelsea that just kills me.." I had heard of "Chelsea" prior to purchasing Across A Wire: Live in New York, but I'd never heard it. I bought the cd on a Friday, I think, and before I even had a chance to listen to it, I had discovered that "Chelsea" was the hidden song included on it. I think I learned that from this site, actually. [Shame on you for giving it away, Chris!] And then I slipped the cd in and skipped to track ten and lost myself in it.

It's a beautiful song. "Is anything different these days? The light in her eyes goes out; I never had light in my eyes anyways. Maybe things are different.. these days." Though I doubt it will happen, it would be nice if Adam and his brass buddies released an album - but I'd take that back in a moment if I thought it would hinder Counting Crows' releasing a new one themselves. All in all, the song is beautiful and makes you long for more - exactly the thing we've come to expect from the Crows and from Adam [and now his brass friends, as well].

And thus ends a wonderful cd - thank God it's only the first of two - and now we can slip in the second disc, Live From the Ten Spot, and find ourselves in concert with the band.